Akhilesh demands centre's help for "Make in UP" initiative

Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav on Thursday batted for "Make in UP" initiative on the lines of 'Make in India' campaign and have sought centre's assistance in encouraging companies to manufacture in the state

Lucknow: Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav on Thursday batted for "Make in UP" initiative on the lines of 'Make in India' campaign and have sought centre's assistance in encouraging companies to manufacture in the state

"Investments are coming in the state. State government is ready to make land available for projects. But those who have given "Make in India" have not sought any land here," he said in the Assembly while replying on state budget 2015-16 discussion.

"The Prime Minister is from UP (Varanasi LS seat), Home Minister is from UP (Lucknow LS seat), Defence minister is a Rajya Sabha member from here and some others ministers also belong here. With 'Make in India', there should also be 'Make in UP' initiative," he said.

The CM said the state government was celebrating this year as "Kisan Varsh" (Farmer's year) and has prepared schemes for their welfare giving priority to power, water, road and other infrastructure facilities.

"Objective of our government is to fulfil all our promises and the budget has taken care of minorities, Dalits, farmers, labourers and all sections of the society", he said.

Expressing his government's commitment for payments of cane dues of farmers, Yadav said Rs 2000 crores has been earmarked for the purpose.

He said that the government was working for providing 16 hours of power to rural and 22 hours of power in urban areas by 2016 and issues like power generation and transmission were taken seriously.

"The government is also promoting solar energy", he said.

Pointing at the disinterest of investors on Agra-Lucknow expressway project, Yadav said, "No one wants to work in less that what they got in previous (BSP) regime."

The government has undertaken this project through its own resources and it would be completed by next year, he said.

Commenting on the Leader of Opposition Swami Prasad Maurya's statement, who termed the budget as "budget of dreams", Yadav said, "You got statues in your dreams and you made them. We are working for development of poor, farmers and all sections of the society."

On BSP's claim that Samajwadi Pension Scheme is copy of Mahamaya pension scheme of BSP regime, Yadav said: "Under Samajwadi Pension, 40 lakh families were covered and this year the figure will rise upto 45 lakh."